The president of the United States has issued a proclamation for display of the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on May 30, 2021, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on May 26, 2021, in San Jose, Calif.
Flag at half-staff
Governor Signs 2021 Memorial Day Proclamation
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the 2021 Memorial Day Proclamation, honoring our nation’s fallen service members. The U.S. and Florida flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day in their memory.
The 153rd Anniversary of Memorial Day is also an opportunity to honor our Gold Star Families and display the Honor and Remember Flag to embody the respect and gratitude our state has for these families.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 31.
The American Legion Announces Recipients of 4th Estate Journalism Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (May 24, 2021) – A central Florida television station, an Illinois newspaper and a popular website will receive The American Legion’s Fourth Estate Award during the 102nd National Convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization in Phoenix, on September 2.
The Fourth Estate Award has been presented annually by The American Legion since 1958 for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism. Nominations in 2021 were considered in three categories: broadcast, print and online media. They were selected by the organization’s Media & Communications Commission earlier this month and announced today.
Taking top honor in the broadcast category is the ABC Action News (WFTS-TV) I-Team in Tampa, Fla. In a comprehensive series titled “The Price of Protection…Problems with Court-Ordered Guardianship,” the E.W. Scripps-owned station examined problems with many of Florida’s court-ordered guardians who victimize vulnerable seniors while profiting from their care. The reporting is believed to have influenced the firing of an agency head by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and reforms passed by the state’s legislature.
Daily Herald of Arlington, Heights, Ill., is being recognized in the print category for its series articles about deceased veterans who died with no relatives willing to arrange funerals. The articles quickly went viral, prompting hundreds of people from the Chicago area to show support and attend memorial services for the veterans, which included military honors.
The Fourth Estate Online Media Award is going to Military.com, a previous recipient of the award. Reporter Gina Harkins was the first to report of a Marine Corps proposal to close its recruit depot at Parris Island, S.C. The proposal was short-lived as several members of South Carolina’s congressional delegation voiced strenuous opposition to any plan that would close the historic facility. Rep. Joe Wilson cited Military.com’s reporting as a direct cause of The Parris Island Protection Act.
“The American Legion has always respected important role of a free press,” said James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion. “The American Legion would not be nearly as effective without media coverage of our positions and programs on the national and community level. The Fourth Estate Awards represent the best of the best. These award winners are being recognized for outstanding works of journalism that not only stand far above normal media reporting, but have also resulted in outcomes that have positively impacted the lives of people and issues. Our 2021 award winners reflect that. These committed journalists have devoted long, hard hours into investigating, researching, writing and producing reports that have truly made a difference.
“I will be honored to present each of these deserving recipients with our highest recognition of journalistic accomplishment, The American Legion Fourth Estate Award, at our national convention this summer,” Oxford said. “They are all credits to their profession.”
Previous winners of the award include CNN, CBS, USA Today, ABC News, C-SPAN, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Life Magazine, among others.
Weekly Reports May 21, 2021
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary*
Squadron Membership Summary*
* SAL Reports not yet available
Joseph Edward Pauly
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Past Central Area Commander Joseph Edward Pauly of Winter Haven, Florida, born in Saint Clair, Michigan, who passed away on May 11, 2021 at the age of 68. Joseph is survived by: his wife Katherine “Kit” Pauly; his children, JJ (Krissy), Kami and Steven; his grandchildren, Jacar, Ely, Andrew (Hailey), Kaley, Emily, Hannah and Hayden (Jaxson); his great grandchildren, Marcus, Jayson and Elijah; and his siblings, Ruth Ann, Gloria, Herbie and Rick. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. There are no details regarding services at this time, but any new information will be communicated to you through email as well as posted on the website.
Joseph was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam War Era Veteran and a member of Winter Haven Post 8 with 34 continuous years of membership. Joseph served as Post Commander (1993-1994), 7th District Commander (1995-1997) and Central Area Commander (1997-1998).
If you would like to send your condolences, you may do so through her wife, Kit Pauly, at 410 Taylor Ave., Winter Haven, FL 33880-1450.
Weekly Reports May 14, 2021
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary*
Squadron Membership Summary*
* SAL Reports not yet available
U.S. Flag Alert Notification
This year Americans are observing both Peace Officers Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 15th. Peace Officers Memorial Day gives honor to peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. Armed Forces Day pays tribute to the men and women serving in our nation’s military. The U.S. Flag Code is a codification of rules and customs pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States for use by civilians or civilian groups/organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by executive departments of the government of the United States. In accordance with U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m) of the U.S. Flag Code, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. The American Legion encourages Americans to display the flag of the United States on May 15, 2021, to honor the patriotic service of the United States military, while also pausing with bowed head to give remembrance to those peace officers and their families having made the ultimate sacrifice.
2021 Race to the Top Results
Congratulations to Johnny Castro and Bruce Carl for placing 1st in their categories and to Dennis Mallon for placing 2nd in his category. We appreciate your hard work and dedication!
From National: The Race-to-the-Top competition has concluded. The first place winners in each category will receive a trip to the 2021 national convention along with their guest. Second place winners will receive a $500 check for their efforts and third place winners will receive a check for $375. We would like to congratulate the following district commanders on a job well done.
Category I
- 1st James M. Defrehn (SC) 137.32%
- 2nd James J. DeWyze (UT) 111.92%
- 3rd David G. Jelin (UT) 109.95%
Category II
- 1st James R. Gibson (SC) 109.11%
- 2nd Eugene S. Ironshell, Jr. (SD) 108.79%
- 3rd -No Submission-
Category III
- 1st Johnny D. Castro (FL) 113.49%
- 2nd -No Submission-
- 3rd -No Submission-
Category IV
- 1st Bruce Carl (FL) 106.18%
- 2nd -No Submission-
- 3rd -No Submission-
Category V
- 1st Stephen N. Foster (OH) 103.79%
- 2nd Dennis L. Mallon (FL) 103.24%
- 3rd -No Submission-
Department Adjutant Position Available
The American Legion Department of Indiana currently has a position available for a Department Adjutant. We offer competitive pay and benefits for the right candidate and will be accepting applications until June 15th, 2021. Please send your resume to The American Legion Department of Indiana, 5440 Herbert Lord Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46216.
Congrats to Dept Historian Ed Lewis
May I extend to you congratulations on your Honorable Mention Award in the Department Visual Media Category from The American Legion Media Alliance. No one deserves this recognition more than you. Great Job.
For God & Country,
William D. (Bill) Kelly
SAL NEC
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary – Not yet available
Squadron Membership Summary – Not yet available
The American Legion Calls for Expediting Visas for Afghan Interpreters
WASHINGTON (April 29, 2021) – Stating that “time is of the greatest essence,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford wrote to President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken and called on the administration to speed up the processing of visa applications for interpreters who assisted U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Oxford explained that he sent the letters because of the dire consequences that interpreters face. “A Michigan Legionnaire who served in Afghanistan described the situation in stark terms. Interpreters who are discovered by the Taliban will be swiftly beheaded. The unlucky ones will have to watch their families die first,” he said. “While we welcome an end to these endless wars, we must never abandon the brave Afghan and Iraqi allies who took great personal risk to assist our military with its missions. We must not leave them behind. They have earned safe passage to America.”
Oxford directed his Washington staff to work with the Biden administration on the best way to fix what has been described by Brown University as a “slow and inefficient” processing program that takes over two years. In his letters to Biden and Blinken, Oxford noted that Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients “go through the strictest vetting and approval process of any category of person coming to the U.S. already, but we must balance security concerns with a commitment to those who fought alongside us.”
The American Legion foresaw this issue in 2018 when its National Executive Committee unanimously passed Resolution No. 16, which called for Congress and the president to recognize Afghan and Iraqi SIV recipients who “stood shoulder to shoulder” with U.S. troops and diplomats.
Oxford further promised that “The American Legion will not let this go. Military equipment is being removed from Afghanistan right now. But people are our greatest asset. We urge every American to contact their congressional delegations and insist that they prioritize the protection of our heroic allies and their families.”
Flag at full-staff
It is reported that former Vice President Walter Mondale’s funeral services are being scheduled for September. Flags at the White House and U.S. Capitol have been returned to full-staff.
The American Legion to Shelby, N.C.: ‘Play Ball!’
The American Legion World Series to be held as originally scheduled
INDIANAPOLIS (April 26, 2021) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization announced that The American Legion World Series will be played in Shelby, N.C., August 12-17. The eight-team championship tournament is returning after the premier baseball event was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As a former American Legion Baseball coach, I am extremely excited about the return of this fantastic event,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford said. “With the availability of vaccines and additional data showing that young people participating in outdoor activities represent a low risk for spread of the virus, we feel that we can conduct a safe world series. This is a very different environment than what we faced last year. Many of us eagerly await the umpire’s welcoming words of ‘play ball!’”
Though final details are still being considered, officials at national headquarters plan to conduct American Legion Boys Nation at Marymount University and the American Legion 3-Position Air Rifle Junior Shooting Sports National Championships in Colorado Springs as originally scheduled. The American Legion will observe Center for Disease Control guidelines and local and state public health mandates for all of its national programs.
The American Legion Mourns Passing of Walter Mondale
Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale
(INDIANAPOLIS—April 20, 2021) – American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford issued the following statement today concerning the passing of former Vice President Walter F. Mondale:
“America lost a distinguished statesman and a respected public servant. Vice President Mondale was an Army veteran and a Legionnaire. He was admired by many for the civility and grace that he brought to politics. Our condolences to his family and those who knew him best in his home state of Minnesota.”
As a presidential candidate in 1984, Mondale addressed delegates at the 66th National Convention of The American Legion. “I say that when it comes to our nation’s security, there are no Democrats or Republicans or Independents, only Americans,” he told The American Legion.
Flag at half-staff
In accordance with Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m) of the U.S. Flag Code, the United States flag is to be displayed at half-staff from day of death to interment to honor the life of former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale, who passed away on April 19, 2021.
Flag at half-staff
The president of the United States has issued a proclamation for display of the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on April 20, 2021, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on April 15, 2021, in Indianapolis.
How to do Transmittals
Department of Florida, Assistant Adjutant, Bruce Comer created this instructional video to help you with transmittals in the new MyLegion.org.
Jimmie Johnson making INDYCAR debut this weekend
(Photo by Walter G Arce Sr.)
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Jimmie Johnson makes his highly anticipated INDYCAR debut this weekend in Birmingham, Ala., driving a car featuring American Legion branding prominently in its paint scheme.
The American Legion and Chip Ganassi Racing have entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement for the No. 48 Honda in the NTT INDYCAR Series. Johnson will drive the car during this season’s road races, while 2003 Indianapolis 500 champ Tony Kanaan will compete in oval races in a car featuring an even more prominent American Legion presence.
This weekend, Johnson will compete in the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park. The 90-lap, 214-mile race takes place on a 2.38-mile permanent road course featuring 17 turns and 80 feet of elevation change. For a complete weekend schedule, click here.
The race will be broadcast on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET, as well as on the INDYCAR Radio Network and SiriusXM. Debuting during the television broadcast is an American Legion ad in which Johnson talks about the organization’s efforts both nationally and locally, continuing its tradition of “strengthening America through service.”
For more information on The American Legion and its NTT INDYCAR SERIES participation, visit www.legion.org/48. We’ve also created a printable, downloadable poster/flyer featuring the American Legion-sponsored 48 car and its scheduled appearances in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2021 so fans can keep up with the action and promote the competition in their communities. Click here for more info and here to download the poster.
The American Legion calls for ending ‘Forever War,’ repealing, replacing Authorization for Using Military Force
WASHINGTON (April 15, 2021) – Calling the White House plan to fully withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11, “a good start,” the leader of the nation’s largest veteran service organization, The American Legion, is calling for an end to the “Forever war,” nearly twenty years after troops were deployed there.
Acknowledging that the United States “had little choice but to strike back hard” after the 9/11 attacks, American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford called for the repeal of the “outdated authorizations for use of military force” that are currently being used to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“Today, there are men and women defending our nation in uniform who were born after 9/11.” Oxford wrote in the May issue of The American Legion Magazine. “Thousands of American lives have been lost or broken fighting the global war on terrorism. An entire generation grew into adulthood without knowing a time when the United States was at peace.”
Oxford’s position mirrors a national resolution titled “Addressing the ‘Forever War,’ passed by The American Legion National Executive Committee (NEC) during its virtual meeting October 14-15, 2020. The NEC Resolution also states, “Our servicemembers accomplished their original objectives in Afghanistan long ago at great cost…”
Oxford penned the magazine piece weeks before the White House had announced its plan. The editorial also calls for the construction of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in a prominent location in the nation’s capital.
“We understand the value of alliances and certainly favor the elimination of imminent threats,” Oxford said. “But imminent is not the same as permanent. It’s past time to memorialize and honor those who made tremendous sacrifices on our behalf. It’s also time to put diplomacy first.”